Snow and Aspens

This time of year one can find green leaves, yellow, orange, and some red right along with early Fall snow.

Blooming Chamisa and the Bee

The Chamisa are starting to bloom and it's warm enough that the bees are still buzzing.

Virginia in New Mexico?

Virginia Creeper vines are found everywhere around Los Alamos. Shouldn't they be called New Mexico Creepers?

Yellow Fields in Santa Fe

Cholla cactus and sage in the field of yellow flowers. They may be a type of sunflower

One Way To Beat The Dead Grass

A few homes in White Rock have put in artificial grass in their yards. Green year round. No water required. Just needs to be vacuumed once in a while.Sure cuts down on water bill and NO MOWING. Sometimes you can see plastic bunnies feeding on the plastic grass.

Drought and Dead Grass

Due to the drought and the cost of water, some people just let their yard did off. In many places around the country, grass turns brown during the dry season. However, it doesn't bake and die like it does in our community. (Not my house, I watered every Wed, Fri, Sat between before 10 AM and after 6 PM as recommended. My weeds, I mean, my grass is green)

Castilleja - Indian Paint Brush

Recent rains have allowed the wild flowers, like the Indian Paint Brush (Castilleja) to bloom.

Back Burn Line

Careful back burning stopped the Las Conchas fire from moving onto LANL property. Here you can see where back burn singed the bottom of these trees. The ground cover has turned very green due to the recent rains and the ash which acts as a natural fertilizer.

September Nice Time Of Year

Sun FlowerPower

Above: Large sunflowers growing in the front yard of a home in White Rock. Must be well cared for to grow in this climate with this drought. Below: Even larger Sun Flowers in La Senda.

Puff Ball?

Even after all the drought and hot weather, when the summer monsoons came, so did this puff ball in my front yard. Amazing how nature strives for life and grabs onto the opportunities when presented.

Result of the recent Las Conchas fire in July along the road near the entrance to Bandelier National Monument - most of which still remains closed.

Can You Tell Me What This Is?

Bushy tree in my yard that seems to be able to propagate and grow into nearby areas. I thought I looked this up once and found its name. Can't remember and can't find. Do you know what it is?

Poppies in Bloom

Saw these poppies blooming in a back yard and took the picture. And, that's about all I have to say. EnjoyQ!

Back Yard Vineyard?

Saw this small back yard vineyard. Wondered if they made their own wine. New Mexico does produce very good wines.

Notice the black covering on the ground to thwart weeds and conserve water in our dry climate. Los Alamos gets about 19" of rain (15" in White Rock) average per year. We are way behind this year and for several past years. Very low humididy, lots of sun, and high altitude really dries out the landscape and the people.

Watch Your Step

Get off the trails and you will many "pods" of Prickly Pear Cactus waiting to greet you. When they are in bloom, I'll post another photo. They are also edible. Prickly Pear jelly is not bad. Prickly Pear/Green Chile jelly is even better.

Crab Apple In Bloom

Crab Apple in full bloom on Easter.

Raven Sentinel in a Blossoming Cottonwood.

Los Alamos means "the cottonwood." Here a Raven stands guard in a blossoming cottonwood tree.

Spring Has Sprung?

Seem like overnight, some trees, not many, are showing signs of green. Los Alamos/White Rocks' altitude (7000 feet + or - 700 feet) and our cold nights (25F / 4C last night)...spring does not come early here. I stopped on the way home and took a picture of this early sign of spring.

Pollen, Pollen, Everywhere!

The male Juniper plants are loaded with pollen this time of year causing all kinds of complications. Pump into this branch and "smoke cloud" of pollen erupts.The Juniper is dioecious, having separate male and female trees. Below is the much less troublesome female Juniper trees.